From Dreggen to the Viking ship at Festplassen with Krohnengen Brass Band and Lungegaardens Musikkorps. Stirring marches, cheers and traditional wreath laying along the way.
Bergen wakes to music and cheers
At 07:00, the Morning Procession sets off from Dreggen beside Mariakirken. Following the opening of the day, the national anthem and the Skansen salute, the streets fill with flags, banners, music and festive Bergen residents. The procession follows the designated route through the city and ends at the Viking Ship at Festplassen.
Bergen has a special atmosphere this morning: the city wakes, flags rise and the first marches set the rhythm for a whole day of celebration. The Morning Procession is a chance to experience Constitution Day from its opening moments and help carry the traditions forward.
Stirring marches and national anthems
Krohnengen Brass Band and Lungegaardens Musikkorps bring stirring music to the Morning Procession in 2027. Marches and national anthems give the procession momentum and ceremony along its route. It departs to Bergen’s city anthem, “Nystemten” — a musical greeting to the city we are celebrating.
Band music is an essential part of the experience. It brings participants together, fills the streets and draws spectators along the route into the celebration. Bring your flag and join in as the procession passes!
Cheers that give the city a voice
The Morning Procession traditionally includes set cheers along the route, including for Norwegian seafarers and President Christie. These are shared tributes: someone calls out the greeting and participants respond with hurrahs. The streets become a place for community, gratitude and Bergen’s enthusiasm as well as a marching route.
At John Lund’s memorial plaque, nine cheers — three times three hurrahs — honour the man who left a lasting mark on Bergen’s Constitution Day celebrations.
Wreath laying along the route
The Morning Procession stops to honour people who shaped the history of the nation and the city. Stop times are approximate and depend on the procession’s progress.
- Approximately 07:25 — Muséplass: The head of Studentersamfunnet i Bergen gives a speech and lays a wreath at the Christie monument. Lungegaardens Musikkorps plays “Ja, vi elsker” after the wreath laying. Read about the ceremony and Christie.
- Approximately 07:35 — John Lunds plass: A representative of the 17 May Committee gives a speech and lays a wreath at John Lund’s memorial plaque. Nine cheers follow the speech, and Krohnengen Brass Band plays Bergen’s city anthem. Read about the ceremony and John Lund.
A tradition rooted in 1892
Bergen Public Library dates the Morning Procession to 1892. It became part of a celebration that had already developed over several decades, with processions playing an important role. Early mornings, music and community have therefore long belonged to Bergen’s Constitution Day traditions.
John Lund chaired the 17 May Committee from 1876 to 1913. The Morning Procession passed his home in Fosswinckels gate, and the tribute to him lives on in today’s wreath laying and cheers at John Lunds plass. The tradition connects the living celebration with the people who shaped it.
From Dreggen to the Viking Ship
From Dreggsallmenningen, the route follows Øvregaten and Vetrlidsallmenningen to Torget and Torgallmenningen. It continues over Kong Olav Vs plass and Øvre Ole Bulls plass, then through Vaskerelven and Magnus Barfots gate towards Johanneskirken and Muséplass.
After the wreath laying at the Christie monument, the route follows Professor Keysers gate to John Lunds plass. The procession continues through Herman Foss’ gate and Nygårdsgaten to Christies gate, then turns into Festplassen and ends at the Viking Ship.
Practical information
Departure: 17 May 2027 at 07:00 from Dreggen beside Mariakirken. You are welcome to attend the opening at 06:45. Destination: The Viking Ship at Festplassen. Allow time to arrive and follow the committee’s instructions at the stops.
See the Morning Procession route and ceremonies on the map or read more on the procession page.
Historical sources: Bergen Public Library, University of Bergen and the 17 May Committee’s description of procession traditions.